Nehemiah 1:4-9

4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.

5I said, Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands,

6let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.

7We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.

8Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.

9But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.”